Washing machine provided with removable transmission



Feb. 3, 1953 c. c. SCHEELE 5 WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH REMOVABLE TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 18. 194'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTDR CHARLES C. 5 BHEELE ATTORNEY C. C. SCHEELE Feb. 3, 1953 WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH REMOVABLE TRANSMISSION Filed Dec; 18. 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENT UR CHARLES E. 5 CHEBL'E BYISQM ATTUPNEY n Y R E E m 3 D E N. a T H E m N m U 6, 3m E T 2 w Q6 3m v. E. T 5 lllillllnii? 7 E.

k 4 H Y C. C. SCHEELE WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH REMOVABLE TRANSMISSION Feb. 3,- 1953 Flled Dec 18, 1947 C. C. SCHEELE Feb. 3, 1953 WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH REMOVABLE TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 18, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm @vm mm [NVEN TUR CHARLES E. SBHEEL'E ATTDIPNEY Patented Feb. 3, 1953 WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH REMOVABLE TRANSMISSION Charles C. Scheele, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Easy Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 18, 1947, Serial No. 792,363

14 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly to a washing machine of the two-tub agitator and extractor type having a common transmission drive therefor.

In washing machines of the type indicated, the agitator and extractor drives are derived from vertical spindles extending through central apertures in the respective agitator and extractor tubs. In order to prevent the entry of water into the transmission, it has been the practice to provide sl'iaftprotectin g sleeves extending upwardly into the tub a substantial distance, and

"factors have caused disalignment of the sleeve contained shaft bearings due to the dual function, resulting in difficulty in maintaining seals and undue wear. In addition, the transmission and the shaft sleeves were secured to the tubs without consideration of the utilization of the transmission casing as a part of the frame of the washing machine proper for the purpose of rigidifying and strengthening the entire assemblage.

The present invention seeks to improve the over-all structural strength of a completely assembled washing machine by utilizing a transmission, in which the transmission housing is made a part of the frame structure of the washing machine. Additionally, the transmission is so constructed as to be rigid to the end that bearings are maintained in proper alignment regardless of tolerances in the assembly of the transmission to the washing machine proper and the incorporation of the transmission housing in the washing machine as a part of the frame structure thereof. The invention further has to do with the arrangement of moving parts within the transmission in such a manner as to assure against disalignment of the parts by the elimination of couples tending to disalign the moving parts, and in general to provide a transmission havingcharacteristics of long life and minimum wear.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodhowever, that the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only, and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a twotub washing machine, parts broken away, to which the invention is applied;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a transmission assembly adapted for driving the'elements shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a section taken through the transmission of Figure 2 on a horizontal plane passing substantially through thecenter;

Figure '4 is a section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken substantially 0n the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken substantial- 1y on the line 6-6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a section taken substantially on the line l! of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the frame assemblage.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 4, there is shown a washing machine having a substantially cylindrical washing tub [0 having an oscillating vane type agitator l2 therein and a substantially cylindrical extracting tub l4 containing a centrifuge basket or extractor IB. The tubs l0 and M are secured to a skirt i8 constituting in part a frame structure, and a control panel 20 is arranged in the space between the tubs l0 and M. The assembly is supported upon three or more legs 22. Located beheath the tubs and hidden from view by the skirt I8 is a unitary transmission structure shown in Figure 2. The transmission moving parts are contained within the transmission housing structure, which comprises a one-piece housing 24 having formed integrally therewith mounting lugs 23 and 28 at either end by means of which the housing may be secured to suitable angle members 3!] and 32 secured to the skirt [8 and legs 22 by bolts 29 (see Figures 4 and 8).. The skirt is formed from circular members 3! and 33 joined by connecting segments 35. The circular members are each offset as at 31 and 39 to telecopically receive the lower portion of the respective tubs and intervening U section resilient gasket material 41 arranged on the offsets 31 and39. The housing 24 is provided on its top side with a plurality of substantially circular openings 34, 36 and 38, two of which, 34 and 38, are, provided with cover plates 49 and 42 containing upstanding sleeve-like bearing-containing extensions 44 and 46 through which extend driving shafts i8 and 56 for the agitator I2 and the extractor I6, respectively. The sleeve members M and 36 project upwardly from somewhat elevated shoulders 52 and 54, adjacent to which are screw threads 56 and 58 which are adapted to project through suitable apertures provided in the bottom walls of the tubs I and M.

of rubber-like material, having a U-section and arranged about the apertures of the tubs It and I4, and suitable clamp nuts 64 and 66; threaded upon the threads 56 and 58, the tubs it and; I4 are securely fastened to the transmission in leak-tight fashion. It will. be. seen from the structure thus far described, that the tubs, the skirt and the transmission housing together form an integral unit the parts of which cooperate with one another in providing strength and ruggedness.

The housing a 24' is provided with a motor bracket 68 arranged in the form of a U, the arms 0% which have a semi-circular-recess iii into which the bearing journal ends of the motor i2 may be detachably" secured by strap clamps Hi hooked upon thebracket ends as at l6 and tensioned by clamp screws I8 threaded in bracket held nuts 80, the-screws and nuts lying in slots of cruciform. shape. Such bracket is disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,598,836, issued June 3, 1952. The axis ofthe motor I2 is held by such. bracket in substantial alignment with a worm shaft 32 extending substantially horizontally and diagonally through the housing 24 as will appear in Figure 3. The worm shaft 82 is supported upon spaced bearings, the bearing sleeves 8 and 86 of which are secured in cylindrical bearingv apertures 88 aridiSU-integrally formed in the housing 2%. The 1 bearing sleeve 86 is adapted to absorb the thrust of theworms 92: and helical pinion. or worm 94 positioned and secured upon the. shaft 82; the

sleeve. 86 being positioned within the. bearing aperture 90 by means of a set screw 95 (see Figure- 2'). A suitable packing 93 is provided around the shaft iizand. adjacent the bearing. sleeve 86 in order to prevent leakage of lubricant contained withinthe. housing 2d. End play of the shaft 82; isv prevented by a preloading arrangement; urging-the shaft. 82 and the thrust collar IIJO into engagement" with the. bearing sleeve flfiiunder a predetermined pressure. The means for providing. such preloading of the shaft 82 is. constituted bya spring I 02 acting against a thrust ball IMall of which are contained within an; aligned cylindrical bore III-Bin a suitable boss integral with the housing 2-,4.

I-1he worm 921s adapted to, drive the agitator I 2 and oscillating motion is imparted thereto through an eccentric and sector gear arrangement having certain novel features; which will appear; from a. careful consideration of the constructional details to follow. lChe worm 92 drives aworm wheel, IIIIB which has integrally formed therewithon its; under side an eccentric I la. The worm wheel is mounted upon a short stub shaft I;I.Z',.the lower endof which is journaled in a bearing recess boss II 4 integrally formed upon the housing 2.4; The upper end of the shaft IIZ isjournaledin a. journal boss IIE. formed as a part: of a. substantially circular cover plate II8 rigidly secured to the housing and accurately centered with respect to the housing by reason of they shoulder I and the housing aperture By means of grommet-like sealing membersfieand fig-formed 35. The cover plate is dished or conical, so that oil splashed upon the under side thereof runs to the center to lubricate the worm wheel bearing. The journal bosses H4 and H6 are such as to rigidly maintain the axis of the shaft H2 in accurate position with respect to the other parts and particularly the worm shaft 82.

Driven by the eccentric I I is a connecting rod I22 having an internal ring I24 riding upon the eccentric lit, and a bifurcated end I26 containing awrist pin. I28. The wrist pin I28 is carried in a sector gear crank element I 30 rocking on a shaft I32 secured in shaft receiving bosses I34} and I 35 the former integrally formed in thehousing 24; and the latter formed integrally with the cover plate 4%. The sector gear I30 meshes with an agitator shaft pinion I38 which is loosely positioned upon the agitator shaft 48. 'I-hepinion is provided with a shifting collar I40 engaged by the stationary yoke M2 which may be raised or lowered by,v a rock shaft Hi l and-crank Hid-acting upon a slide rod I #8 to which the yoke M22 is securely attached. The. rockshaft M4 is extendedby suijtable means such; as a rod I49 through the skirt It to a control'lever I50 atone end. At the other end, the rock shaft is provided with a crank I52 carrying a tension spring I54 extending to an integral bracket I 56 formed in the cover plate it; The spring is adapted to hold the rock shaft in either of; its'endpositions shown at I52" and IE2 in Figure 4. The connection between the crank I45 and the slide rod I48 comprises an arcuate slot I58 acting upon a cross pin ltd: arranged in the slotted end I62 of the slide rod I 48; The spring I54; by reason of the construction described, provided an over center toggle snap action in shifting the slide-rod I48 andthe pinion I38 upon-thesha-ft 43'.

The, pinion I38-has a castellated hub extension I Mill on itsunder side andthenotcheslfifi thereof are: adapted to engage the cross-pin I58 in the shaft d8 when'the pinion is in the position shown in? Figure 5. The-notches I66; are somewhat tapered, and by action of the compression spring I I0 bearing against the yoke I42, the notches I fidare caused to tightly-engage upon the pin IE8 when the pinion is in the lowered position. Backlash is thus avoided which might otherwise result' from the oscillating drive produced by the oscillating sector gear I351. It will appear that while the pinion- I3& is actually shiftable to engageor disengage the pin I68, its axial movement isinsufiicient to at any time disengage from the sector gear I383.

The. agitator drive shaft 48- is positioned in journal boss I72, bearing sleeve I 82 in the hous- -24 and the cover plate extension 44-, respectively. End thrust is absorbed, by a ball I'IS located in thejournal boss I12. The sleeve member M is composed of a tubular element I78 threaded into an integral portion I 30;. adjacent the elevatedshoulder E2 of the cover plate 49, and is provided at its upper'end sleeve I82 and an adjacent shaft seal I84; A look nut I85: bearings on a lead seal IS'I rendersthe connection fluid-tight. Immediately above the clearance boss I14, the shaft is provided with a resilient annular slinger cup I86 adapted to throw any water traveling down the shaft away from the bearing end for drainage outside of the housing in the open space I88 provided in the cover plate (It beneath the elevated shoulder 52. The plate lllis accurately centered with respect to thehousing 24. by the flange or shoulder I90 engaging the. opening 3.4.

with a bearing The drive to the extractor shaft 50 is accomplished through the helical gear train comprising the worm 94 and a driven gear I92, the latter being freely rotatably mounted upon the extractor drive shaft 58, the same being located between a collar I94 and its associated split ring I96 and a split ring I98. Slidably mounted upon the shaft 58 and keyed for rotation therewith, is a clutch and brake element 288 having a friction face 202. The element is resiliently urged downward by a compression spring 284 acting against an annular spring retainer 248 positioned on the shaft 50 by a split ring 228. The friction face 202 is caused to engage upon an end flange 2m integrally formed with the spiral gear I92, so that a friction drive is readily effected to the friction surface 282 and the shaft 58. In order to provide a brake for the shaft '50 and at the same time disengage the friction engagement of the flange 2| 8 with the friction surface 202, there is provided a braking ring 2 [2 having a friction face 2l4 which is adapted to be lifted into engagement with the friction surface 282, raising the sleeve 288 against the spring 284 to disengage the friction surface from the flange 2 l8 and thereby brake the rotation of the shaft 50.

To actuate the clutch or brake at will, the annular brake ring 2l2 is supported on a fork 230 which is axially movable, the same being rigidly mounted upon a rod 232 slidable in suitable guide recesses 234 and 236 in the housing 24. The rod 232 is provided with rack teeth 238 engaging gear teeth 24!! cut in the end of control shaft 242, so that by rocking the control shaft 242, the fork 238 is elevated or lowered to apply the brake or permit engagement of the clutch, respectively. A coupling 244 connects the control shaft 242 with a shaft 248 extending to the manually operated lever 248. In order to hold the clutch in engaged or disengaged position, a spring detent 258 is secured to the housing which cooperates with an arm 252 secured to the coupling 244. The spring detent 250 is provided with apertures 254 and 258 which cooperate with a blister 258 on the arm 252 to hold the arm 252 in either of two positions until manually and forcefully removed from such position. The detent also includes stop flanges 288 and 252 which limit the angular movement of the arm 252 and thereby limit the movement of the braking ring 2! 2, and a yoke riding in an annular groove 253 in shaft 242 to prevent endwise movement.

The shaft 58 rotates in a journal boss 2l6 in the housing 24 and rests upon a thrust ball H8. The upper bearing for the shaft comprises a bearing sleeve 228 located within the upper end of the sleeve-like extension 46 of the cover plate 42. The latter is accurately located with respect to the aperture 38 by the flange 222 and is rigidly secured in place, as are the other cover plates previously referred to. The shaft is provided with a resilient slinger ring 22! to prevent water from entering the bearing.

The housing is adapted to be partially filled with oil through a filler plug 224 located in the side wall at a level substantially as indicated in Figure 4. A suitable drain plug 226 is provided so that the housing may be flushed if desired. It will thus be seen that while the worm 92 and helical pinion 94 may normally dip in oil, the eccentric, located beneath the worm wheel I28, actually runs in an oil bath. The level, however, is approximately at or below the shaft 82, so that leakage from the housing 24 is virtually impossible except for leakage at the packing 98, ar-

the housing is below the worm shaft and a suitable seal provided. A breather opening 225 relieves pressure, and extends substantially into the casing so that oil will be retained whether the casing be tipped in any direction as in. shipping or servicing.

The shaft 82 may be squared or flattened at its end, and a suitable coupling such as 228 provided between the shaft and the motor shaft 330. The coupling may be similar to that disclosed in Patent No. 2,586,567, issued February 19, 1952. Secured to the housin 24 is a centrifuge pump 332 having a drive pulley 334 over which runs a belt 336 driven by a pulley 338 formed as a part of the coupling 228.

It will appear from the foregoing description that the housing, due to its integral construction comprising integral side walls as Well as top except for the apertures to which the cover plates are attached, is extremely rigid. The housing is, in effect, a box beam. Its construction is such that it may readily be cast of light metals such as aluminum alloys or iron, as may be found desirable. Additionally, the journals for the various shafts are rigidly and accurately located with respect to the housing, and the construction is such that upon inserting the housing into the tub and skirt assembly of the washing machine, the bearing alignment of the moving parts is maintained despite tolerances in the tub and other parts secured to the housing or its cover plates. Thus, the bearings provided in the cover plates and housing may be closely fitted to avoid leakage of either lubricant outward or water inward. The journals for the moving parts and particularly the shafts 48 and 58, being rigidly located, positively maintain the moving parts in proper assembled relation with the result that wear is reduced to a minimum. Parts cannot be forced out of alignment in assembly. Force couples and twisting moments tending to twist the parts are likewise reduced to a minimum, since the eccentric is immediately adjacent the worm wheel and the connecting rod drives the sector gear through its bifurcated end and wrist pin. Each of the cover plates 48 and 42, together with their respective shafts, bearings and gears, and clutch mechanism, form sub-assemblies insertable into or removable from the transmission, and form the subject matter of divisional application Serial No. 283,681, filed April 16, 1952.

The operation of the transmission will be well understood by those skilled in the 'art, and from a consideration of the foregoing description. It

will appear that the motor may run continuously and that the operator may at will couple the agitator or the extractor or both to their respective driving members as may be desired.

Although a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. As various changes in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, reference will be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing unit hav ing rigid upstanding bearing sleeves forming an integral part thereof extending. upwardly through said apertures, a shoulderon each of said sleeves adapted tov bear against each of said tub bottoms, means for securing said tub bottoms in bearing relation on. said shoulders, and-means for rigidly securing the transmission housing to said frame at its opposite ends and independent of said tubs.

2.,In a washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing a transverse box section, cover plates rigidly secured to opposite ends of the housing having broad bases engaging said housing and upstanding rigid bearing sleeves having-tub bottom engaging shoulders, means for securing said shoulders rigidly against said tub bottoms with said sleeves extending through said apertures, and rigid means at either end of said housing for securing said housing to said frame independent of said tubs, whereby the; frame and housing coact to strengthen one another,

3. In a Washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid' elongated transmission housing of transverse box section and having top and bottom walls connected by a marginal low side wall, cover plates rigidly secured to opposite ends of the top wall of the housing, said cover plates having broad bases engaging said top'wall and upstanding rigid integral bearing sleeves having tub bottom engaging shoulders and a short threaded portion'immediately thereabove, threaded means on said threaded portion for clamping said tub bottoms between said shoulders and threaded means, and rigid means at the ends of said housing for securing said housing t said frame independent of said tubs.

4. In a washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing of transverse box section and having top and bottom walls, cover plates rigidly secured to opposite ends of the housing each having a broad base rigidly engaging the top wall of said housing and an upstanding rigid integral bearing sleeve having tub bottom engaging shoulder, means'for securing said shoulder rigidly against said respective tub bottoms with said sleeves extending through said apertures, a shaft extending through each of said sleeves, and a bearing forsaid shaft at the upper end of each of said sleeves, and rigid means at the ends of said housing for securing said housing to said frame independent of said tubs.

5. Ina washing machine, a frame in the form of a continuous skirt, a pair of tubs mounted side by sidev on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing unit having rigid upstanding bearing sleeves forming a part thereof rigidly secured thereto and extending upwardly through said apertures, drive shafts extending through said. sleeves, and journaled at the upper ends thereof, means on said sleeves for securing said tub bottoms thereto, and rigid means for securing the transmission housing to said frame at opposite ends independent of said tubs.

8. In a washing machine, a frame in the form ofaislzirt, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a. rigid elongated transmission housing, 'unit having. rigid upstanding bearing sleeves forming a part thereof rigidly secured thereto and extending upwardly through said apertures, drive shafts extending through said slee es and journaled, at the upper ends thereof, a shoulder on each of said sleeves adapted to bear against each of said tub bottoms, and means for securing said tub bottoms in. bearing relation on said shoulders, and rigid means for securing the transmission housing to said. frame at opposite ends independent of said tubs.

7. In a washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing unit having two rigid upstanding bearing sleeves forming a. rigid part thereof extending upwardly through said apertures, drive shafts in said sleeves journaled at the upper ends thereof, means on said sleeves for securing said tub bottoms thereto, and rigid means for securing the transmission housing to said frame at opposite ends independent of, said tubs.

8. In a washing machine, a frame, a pair of tubs mounted side by side on said frame, each having a bottom with a central aperture therein, a rigid elongated transmission housing unit having rigid upstanding bearing sleeves forming a rigid part thereof extending upwardly through said apertures, a shoulder on each of said sleeves adapted to bear against each of said tub bottoms, and means for securing said tub bottom in bearing relation on said shoulders, drive shafts extending through said sleeves and journaled in the upper ends thereof and the bottom of said housing unit, a horizontal diagonal shaft extending into said housing, a motor secured to the outside of said housing in line with said shaft and coupled thereto, a pair of worm gears on said shaft, a worm wheel and eccentric journaled in the top and bottom walls of said housing unit, said wheel meshing with one of said worms and being located above said eccentric, a connecting rod driven by said eccentric connected to a sector gear and crank j'ournaled in the top and bottom walls of the unit, said rod being bifurcated at said gear, and a pinion on one of said drive shafts meshing with said sector gears, and, means for clutching said pinion at will with the last named drive shaft and mean for rigidly connecting said'housing to said frame at opposite ends and independent of said tubs.

9; In a washing machine of the two-tub agitator and extractor type, a transmission having a housing formed from a single one-piece elongated hollow fiat rigid box section casting having attachment lugs at each end thereof and adapted to form a frame member, said casting having bottom and top walls, and peripheral side walls, a diagonal horizontal shaft, projecting through the side wall centrally of the length thereof and extending to one end of the housing, said top wall having three large openings, one at either end and one centrally located, cover plates for each of said openings, the end cover plates having upstanding bearing sleeves having tub bottom engaging shoulders below the upper end thereof, and the center cover plate being concave and extending partially into said housing, said cover plates having journals therein in alignment with integral internal recess journalsin the bottom wall of said housing, agitator and extractor vertical drive shafts projecting from'said sleeves and journaled therein and in the-respective said housing journals, and gearing carried by said vertical shafts,

member, said casting having bottom and top walls, and peripheral side walls, a diagonal horizontal shaft, projecting through a thrust bearing in the side wall centrally thereof and extending to one end of the housing and having spaced drive worms thereon, shaft end thrust means mounted in the housing side wall is alignment with the shaft end, said top wall having three openings, one at either end and one centrally located, cover plates for each of said openings, the end cover plates having upstanding bearing sleeves, and the center cover plate being concave and extending partially into said housing, said cover plates having journals therein in alignment with integral internal recess journals in the bottom wall of said housing, agitator and extractor vertical drive shafts projecting from said sleeves and journaled therein and in the respective said housing journals, and gearing including worm driven wheels in engagement with the worms of said diagonal shaft carried by said vertical shafts, diagonal shaft, and housing and cover plate journals for driving said shafts from said diagonal shaft.

11. In a washing machine of the two-tub agitator and extractor type, a transmission having a housing formed from a single one-piece elongated hollow flat rigid box section casting having lugs at each end thereof and adapted to form a frame member, said casting having bottom and top walls, and peripheral side walls, a diagonal horizontal shaft having a worm thereon, projecting through the side wall centrally thereof and extending to one end of the housing, and three large openings in the top wall, one at either end and one centrally located, cover plates for each of said openings, the end cover plates having upstanding bearing sleeves, and the center cover plate being concave and extending partially into said housing, said cover plates having journals therein in alignment with integral internal recess journals in the bottom wall of said housing, agitator and extractor vertical drive shafts projecting from said sleeves and journaled therein and in the respective said housing journals, and gearing carried by said vertical shafts, diagonal shaft, and housing and cover plate journals for driving said shafts from said diagonal shaft, said gearing including a worm wheel meshing with said worm and an eccentric therebelow journaled in said center cover and housing.

12. In a washing machine of the two-tub agitator and extractor type, a transmission having a housing formed from a single one-piece elongated hollow fiat rigid box section casting having lugs at each end thereof and adapted to form a frame member, said casting having bottom and top walls, and peripheral side walls, a diagonal horizontal shaft having a worm thereon, projecting through the side wall centrally thereof and extending to one end of the housing, and three large openings in the top wall, one at either end and one centrally located, cover plates for each of said openings, the end cover plates having upstanding bearing sleeves, and the center cover plate being concave and extending partially into said housing, said cover plates having journal therein in alignment with integral internal recess journals in the bottom wall of said housing, agitator and extractor vertical drive shafts projecting from said sleeves and journaled therein and in the respective said housing journals, and gearing carried by said vertical shafts, diagonal shaft, and housing and cover plate journals for driving said shafts from said diagonal shaft, said gearing including a worm wheel meshing with said worm and an eccentric therebelow journaled in said center cover and housing, a crank journaled in the end plate and housing having an eccentric engaging connecting rod in alignment with said crank and eccentric.

13. In a washing machine, a supporting frame comprising a sheet metal skirt for supporting two tubs side by side, a transmission unit comprising a relatively flat rigid elongated casing having top and bottom walls arranged longitudinally within the shirt, and having rigid connections to the skirt at spaced triangularly disposed end points, whereby said casing and skirt cooperate to provide a rigid structure, tub seats formed by the upper edge of said skirt, tubs positioned side by side on each of said seats, each of said tubs having a tub bottom having a central aperture, upstanding sleeves formed integrally with parts of the top wall of said casing and projecting through each of said bottom apertures, means to seal said apertures about said sleeves, and an internal shaft for driving a laundry device within each of said tubs extending downwardly through each of said sleeves and into said casing and journaled in the respective sleeves and the bottom wall of said casing and supporting legs secured to said skirt at each of said triangularly disposed end points, said frame and rigid casing serving to rigidify said supporting legs.

14. In a washing machine, a tub supporting frame comprising an elongated sheet metal skirt' having rounded ends, a pair of circular tubs mounted side by side on said frame, said frame having circular seat for receiving said tubs adjacent the bottoms thereof, each of said tubs having a bottom and a central aperture therein, a transmission unit having a rectangular sectioned elongated casing positioned within said skirt and rigidly secured to said skirt at opposite ends independent of said tubs, said casing having as a part thereof broad base cover plates with integral upwardly extending sleeves, aligned with and projecting through said tub bottom apertures, and means for securing said tub bottoms to said sleeves.

CHARLES C. SCHEELE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,678,018 More et a1 July 24, 1928 2,029,937 Nelson Feb. 4, 1936 2,078,139 Holm-Hansen Apr. 20, 1937 2,082,108 Hume June 1, 1937 2,119,918 Kirby June 7, 1938 2,441,053 Wooster May 4, 1948 

